Nonetheless, Ball, a big, fast runner who had a 4-star rating coming out of high school, has the talent to earn some carries in the crowded backfield. But he'll have to make up for missing his first year due to injury.

However, if he is going to earn playing time, then he'd better do it during spring practice because the backfield is only going to get more crowded when Ezekiel Elliott and Dontre Wilson get to Columbus.